It's been 5 years since American Routes first hit the airwaves, and we're celebrating! Hour 1 highlights include well-wishes from listeners, anniversary songs, and great conversations over the years with Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, the late Jerry Garcia, Norah Jones, Dolly Parton and Harry Shearer (of The Simpsons). Devoted fans will be amused by a look at our retro selves, and new listeners can hear how this all started! Hour 2 is our 5th Anniversary concert at the House of Blues, with New Orleans greats Irma Thomas, Frogman Henry, Kermit Ruffins and Henry Butler, and special guests Shemekia Copeland and Keb' Mo'.

We'll name some names with songs about "Corina" and "Mona Lisa" from artists like Bo Diddley and Fats Waller. Our guest is a 22-year-old blueswoman who's out to make a name for herself, Shemekia Copeland. Chuck Berry's pianist Johnnie Johnson will take us behind the scenes for the making of their first hit "Maybellene." And we'll step up to the bar to meet a Baltimore man who legally changed his name to American Joe. Plus the legend of outlaw Staggerlee.